As Hajj kicks off, Saudi Arabia looks to expand tourism sector While leisure tourism is gaining momentum in Saudi Arabia, religious tourism still dominates the sector. By Sebastian Castelier In Dubai, reporting on regional business
Despite postponement of MBS' visit, Saudi-Japanese ties on upswing The increase in high-level visits and overall mutual visits has been the most notable aspect of the development of Saudi-Japanese relations in recent years. By Yuka Ando
Hamas releases two Israeli women as ground offensive looms Days after releasing two American citizens, Hamas freed a pair of Israeli women taken during its Oct. 7 assault on Israel. Israel
Qatari royal’s Manchester United takeover to be announced ‘soon’: report Al-Watan paper, which is owned by Jassim’s father Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, reported late Sunday that the Qatari bid for the Red Devils had been successful. Qatar
Analysis Meet Italy’s Luigi Di Maio, EU’s first envoy for Gulf region By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Gulf states give Egypt $22 billion to mitigate fallout from Ukraine war Cairo has secured $22 billion from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia to cover Egypt's current account deficit. Egypt
Rights group adds lobbying help to spotlight Egypt, Saudi abuses Political prisoner advocacy group Freedom Initiative is deploying Washington lobbyists to amplify its message on the Hill. United States
DOJ orders affiliate of Qatar-backed Al Jazeera to register as foreign agent The Department of Justice accused AJ+ of acting "at the direction and control” of Qatar. Gulf
Justice Department ordered Turkish TV station to register as foreign agent The decision came amid an intensifying push by the Donald Trump administration and Congress to get foreign media outlets to register. Qatar
Saudi Arabia turns to Democrat-tied lobbyists for Capitol Hill relationship advice The Williams Group is the 10th firm hired by Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Washington and the ministry of foreign affairs. Saudi Arabia
Why the UAE is paying for America’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai The UAE contribution comes after Expo 2020 Dubai organizers signed a $1 million lobbying contract to promote the world’s fair in the United States. United Arab Emirates
UAE hires its second former Samantha Power aide to defend itself at UN The UAE has tapped a former aide to Barack Obama’s UN ambassador as the country faces blistering criticism at the world body. United Arab Emirates
Middle East lobbyists pay op-ed writers to sell their message A Kuwaiti firm and an armed Iranian opposition group are some of the latest examples of lobbyists paying for positive press coverage. Kuwait
Intel: Democrats double down on probe into Trump’s Saudi nuclear dealings House Democrats on Tuesday shed more light on a years-long lobbying campaign in which Saudi Arabia and the US nuclear industry worked with some of President Donald Trump’s key allies to secure a favorable civil nuclear agreement. Saudi Arabia
Lawmaker-turned-Saudi lobbyist raises eyebrows with campaign donations Former Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., donated $1,000 to a key lawmaker the same day he lobbied his office on behalf of the Saudis — a common practice in Washington. Congress
